EDITOR TO THE EDITOR / WHO’S HIDING WHAT ?

Roger C. Kostmayer

US Senators Collins and Grassley, and most Republican senators, say they don’t understand why Dr. Christine Ford (Judge Kavanaugh’s accuser) and all Democratic senators want an FBI background investigation of the alleged attempted rape and sexual assault, before holding a final hearing.

The short answer is based on precedent, common sense and fairness, and the fact that the Senate’s “advise and consent” function is, essentially, a job interview for a powerful lifetime job. A full nonpartisan background investigation, conducted by experts, would not take long and it would provide a fact based context for both the Senate Committee and the American people. Corroborating witnesses and statements give evidentiary support and a basis for judging credibility. After an FBI investigation, like the one so enthusiastically endorsed by Senators Grassley and Hatch in the strangely similar 1991 Judge Thomas/ Anita Hill hearings, a public hearing should be scheduled.

The questions both citizens and senators ask in “he said, she said’ confrontations usually include: What are witnesses hiding and what are their motives?; Who is for and who is against transparency, lie detector tests and a thorough investigation that could either confirm or condemn. Though it’s not dispositive, only Dr. Ford has initiated, taken and passed a lie detector test; named witnesses; and demanded a rigorous investigation.

A prompt background investigation that produces a shared set of facts is required before confirming a candidate for a lifetime position that requires absolute truthfulness, integrity, nonpartisanship, fairness, and impartiality.

[livemarket market_name="KONK Life LiveMarket" limit=3 category=“” show_signup=0 show_more=0]